Former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has reaffirmed his commitment to empowering New Patriotic Party (NPP) members and instituting a sustainable welfare system for party delegates as he seeks to lead the party into the 2028 general elections.
Beyond internal party matters, Dr Bawumia said his broader vision remained centred on job creation for Ghana’s growing youth population, describing it as a “sacred promise” aimed at improving the livelihoods of citizens.
Dr Bawumia is one of five aspirants contesting Saturday’s presidential primary, as the NPP begins early preparations towards reclaiming power in 2028.
“The delegates are responding with renewed zeal, seeing me as the prepared, unifying and winnable leader who can lead us back to government. They appreciate the direct engagement, humility, and focus on the future, and many have expressed that this grassroots approach has reignited hope and commitment across the party,” he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
Dr Bawumia was the NPP’s flagbearer in the 2024 elections after emerging victorious from an initial field of 10 candidates, which was later narrowed to five in a second round. Two of the aspirants he defeated in that contest are among those challenging him again in the current race.
Polls and unity
With several opinion polls placing him as the frontrunner, Dr Bawumia said he was looking beyond the immediate contest and emphasised the need for unity within the party.
“We are one family under the elephant symbol, and we must set aside differences to focus on rebuilding together, brick by brick, anchored in our core values of discipline, hard work, and putting Ghana first,” he said.
He stressed that his campaign had focused on ideas, vision and policy direction rather than personal attacks, noting that negative campaigning only served to benefit political opponents.
During the 2024 general elections, Dr Bawumia’s campaign highlighted his role in Ghana’s digital transformation agenda, with emphasis on innovations that supported business growth and public service delivery.
He is an economist and a former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana.
Profile and support
Within the party, his profile has grown beyond his background in economics and finance, with leading party figures joining his campaign.
“I spearheaded ground-breaking initiatives in digitalisation, financial inclusion, and innovation that continue to benefit Ghana. I have national appeal, having campaigned extensively across every region, and I am already well known and recognised in even the remotest villages,” he said.
According to Dr Bawumia, his leadership qualities include respect for all people without discrimination, a unifying approach, vision, discipline, honesty and a commitment to decorum.
He currently enjoys the backing of more than 80 per cent of the NPP’s 87 Members of Parliament, about 90 per cent of the party’s parliamentary candidates from the 2024 elections, as well as several former ministers and deputy ministers.
Describing himself as the most prepared and marketable candidate, Dr Bawumia said his experience as running mate in four elections and flagbearer in 2024 placed him in a strong position to lead the party again.
“I came close in a challenging election, and with the lessons learned and the vision that I have for Ghana, I am best positioned to secure victory in 2028,” he stated.
He added that his eight years of service as Vice-President had equipped him with deep executive experience in governance, economic management and national leadership, which he intended to leverage in running a modern, data-driven campaign focused on unity, discipline and issue-based politics.
